Brian White | January 2, 2024 | Workplace Accidents

Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S. According to OSHA

It’s no secret that certain careers are riskier than others. Wondering if your job is one of the riskiest in America? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) closely monitors work-related accidents nationwide. 

It is crucial to know the riskiest jobs in the U.S. as identified by OSHA and what these high-risk industries entail. Doing so can help you be prepared to seek compensation if you suffer harm at work. 

Logging Workers

Loggers work in forests, using heavy machinery to cut trees for products like lumber and paper. This job is risky due to the machinery and the chance of contact with dangerous objects. Most deaths in this field happen because of machinery accidents, but other hazards exist too. These include falling branches, changing weather, and rough terrain. Safety is a key concern for loggers in these conditions.

Hunters and Fishers

Fishing and hunting workers interact with wildlife in several ways. They set traps, catch fish commercially, and operate heavy machinery as part of their work. The risky conditions they face make this job the most dangerous in the United States. Drowning and injuries from heavy machinery are common causes of death in this field.

Roofers

Roofers face significant risks in their profession. Falls from roofs or ladders they use are the main causes of severe injuries. Accidents often happen when workers fall off the roof, but using ladders or other equipment unsafely can also lead to fatal injuries.

Construction Workers

Construction workers perform various tasks, each with its own risks. They work in environments where falling objects or falls from heights are common. Ladder missteps and heavy machinery accidents are frequent causes of fatal injuries. 

Examples of hazards in construction include: 

These accidents often happen due to construction companies looking to cut costs and increase profits at the expense of worker safety.

Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers face significant risks, with transportation accidents being more common than often perceived. Despite the safety record of commercial airlines, most on-the-job accidents involve private helicopters and planes. 

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers were ranked as the second most dangerous job in 2018. While they have since dropped in terms of fatal injury rates, the majority of serious incidents in this field are transportation-related. The greatest dangers for these professionals are associated with private aircraft and helicopters.

Refuse Waste and Recyclable Material Collectors

Refuse waste and recyclable material collectors, such as sanitation workers, face a hazardous work environment. Dangers in this field often stem from heavy machinery on garbage trucks. A common cause of fatalities is workers being struck by their own trucks or other vehicles while collecting trash. Additionally, these workers risk slip and fall accidents and crushing injuries, often exacerbated by insufficient training.

Structural Steel Workers

Workers in structural iron and steel are at a heightened risk for serious accidents, including: 

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Ladder accidents
  • Improper training
  • Trouble loading or unloading steel
  • Forklift accidents
  • Incidents involving heavy machinery
  • Lack of proper supervision
  • Equipment defects or malfunctions

Fatalities in this field often result from accidental falls, slips, and trips. Tasked with building large structures using steel, these workers frequently climb ladders, operate heavy machinery, and handle the loading and unloading of steel, presenting numerous risks for accidents.

Truck and Delivery Drivers

Delivery and truck drivers face increased risks of severe injuries, largely due to the nature of their work involving motor vehicle operation. Truck accidents, affecting both large 18-wheelers and smaller delivery trucks, are a major concern.

Factors contributing to truck driver injuries include:

Truck drivers are particularly vulnerable to hazards due to vehicle accidents. Crashes are the leading cause of fatalities in this field.

You may be eligible for compensation and benefits if you’ve suffered a work-related injury in Houston, Texas. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you might have grounds for a personal injury claim. This can allow you to seek damages beyond what workers’ comp offers.

If you’re injured on the job, a Houston personal injury attorney can explain your legal options for securing the financial support you need during recovery.

Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim

For more information, contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000

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